A Glimpse behind the art; from the artists’ perspective
By Amanda Fallon
We see art every day. It is where. Have you ever thought about the artist? What motivated them to make the piece? What was going on in their lives at that time?
Art is therapeutic, expressive, it can mean something deep or nothing at all. For many it is a way to see outside of yourself and into another’s life. A tiny glimpse that makes you wonder “what is it?” or “why”?
This is the first article in a series focusing on local artists — students, faculty, staff and residents in Lane County. These stories are showcasing the artists’ talent, the work that goes into featuring the art and sharing their excitement about their pieces, whether it is a personal piece or a commissioned piece.
The current exhibition “tender shoots, bare legs” in LCC’s own gallery in Building 11 opened April 2,and will be viewable until April 28. This showing was created by five of LCC’s multi talented faculty with the help of many others to get just the right placement of each piece.
Cole Brown and Kaylin Ivy are faculty from the Media Arts department. Both artists used digital multimedia to create their pieces. Emily Bolivar works in Lane’s Performing Arts department, Erin Langley is with Visual Arts and Brandi Marlett is sculpture studio tech with the arts department.
Ivy’s pieces are viewed left to right chronologically, displaying a combination of several mediums playing with lighting and colors, combining Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Dungeons and Dragons. Ivy’s favorite piece is towards the middle titled “TMNT Playing D&D – Teens.” There is even a bonus image at the far right end of the row.
Cole’s art is hung from the ceiling to invoke a feeling of “vertigo” caused by the floating art and lighting. These pieces are multimedia self portraits. “It spills” is the favored piece, “I don’t really have a reason”, Cole says.
Bolivar used art for its therapeutic design, these three chronological pieces have helped Bolivar with her own personal growth and healing journey. “Patterns” was created during an especially difficult time.
Langley has no defined style with the show pieces, according to. Langley’s art is driven by relational materials that are recycled. “Two Birds” is clearly favored by this artist. Langley said that this is part of “a recent exploration of visual trickery.”
“I am going to judge you based on your feet and the radish you hold” is Marlett’s work. Driven in the need to explore spaces and emotions, the bold colors and catchy name will stay with its viewers.
Readers interested in having work featured can complete a submission form found on the Lanecc.edu/community/arts-culture/art-gallery page. This link is live and will remain so until the calendar for 2026/27 and 2027/28 is full for exhibits.
Artist Kaylin Ivy next to “TMNT play D&D-teens”
Artist Cole Brown beside “I’m Steady”
Artist Brandi Marlett with “I’m going to judge you based on your feet and the raddish you hold”
Artist Erin Langley next to “Two Birds”
Artist Emily Bolivar with “Patterns“
